New Diamond Jubilee portrait of the Queen unveiled

An official portrait of the Queen has been unveiled in Australia in celebration of her Diamond Jubilee.

Painted by Australian-born artist Ralph Heiman it depicts the Queen in the Sacrarium of Westminster Abbey, also known as The Coronation Theatre.

Entitled The Coronation Theatre, Westminster Abbey: A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the large work measures nine feet by 11 feet.

The artist, who is based in London, had a sitting with the Queen at Buckingham Palace on March 21, but the scene is an imagined one, set at night in Westminster Abbey.

Through the narrative of the portrait I wanted to produce a work of particular significance for the Diamond Jubilee.

By representing the Queen as she reflects on this incredible milestone in her life, I wanted to explore the dynamic between her public role and the personal, emotional dimension.

– Ralph Heiman, Artist

The work depicts the Queen in a moment of solitary reflection, standing at the centre circle of the Cosmati pavement, on the exact spot where she was crowned nearly 60 years ago.

It has been an integral part of the coronation ceremony since it was commissioned by Henry III in the 13th century and is the spot where every English monarch has been crowned for the last 900 years. The floor was covered for approximately 150 years and has only recently been restored.

The painting was unveiled by the Australian Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, Australia.

It will remain on display until March 2013 as part of a new display celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.